When they design the next scoreboard, and I'm sure the Eagle will tell us since I just know he's subscribed to Scoreboard Monthly, they ought to add just one little window for the timeout timer. They wouldn't need more than two digits.

Maybe a variation of the electronic dog collar? [I know this would be great for the coaches' boxes].

I like the way you think.

The iPod Touch has a stopwatch function on it, so if that was what was being used for a stopwatch you couldn't disallow it.

Two years ago when the scoreboard malfunctioned during Regionals, we were using iPhones & iPod Touch as timing devices, so sometimes just have to go with flow & with what's available, although I was using the stopwatch on my watch for TOs.

This is the first season I've had my iPod Touch so I'm still deciding on whether to use it or my watch for TO Timer.

I've got one too, and it's a great distraction from class, on the train, etc. That's exactly why officials might ban devices like that at the scorer's table. In fact I might start doing that myself, especially since I work a lot of underlevel games at which students are running the clock/doing the book.

And credit to Eagle for reminding me of something I forgot -- on some of these systems, there's no way to cut short a timeout once it's been started. Miserable system. If the timer starts telling me about such a system, I tell him/her to please use some other timing device and to use a manual horn. I always bring up the timeout where both teams are ready early as an example, so I don't look like a petty dictator (which I am, but it's nice if people don't see me that way).

I notify my partners first. Then I monitor the players as they go to their benches to ensure no dead-ball shenanigans. By that time the players are always clearly in their respective bench areas.

I've have scorers who seem to freak out b/c I don't indicate right away what type of TO it is. I indicate to them with my body language that I'm in charge, not them.

T Minus 15 Seconds And Counting ...
 

Hate 'em.

Agree. Some timers around these parts have trouble going back to the game clock when both teams are ready to rumble before the full 60 seconds have passed. I always like to see the time left in the period while picking my nose during a timeout.

You have been well trained little grasshopper. Be alive during a dead ball.

Me three.

My using the iPod Touch for the timeout timer will depend on various factors (will be testing the first 2-3 games of the season). The case I have it in when out'n'about is one of those active lifestyle cases that goes on the wrist. Of course, I'll still have my watch to use as well.

I only play the music on it in the car or at home, when out I use it for an additional watch, for the calculator when figuring out finances/sales tax, or as a countdown timer if waiting on something time-specific.

I turn my phone completely off when at the table. I did make a mention to the AD & principal when meeting with them about this season, that there's been a problem with the students using their phones &/or having their friends with them at the table were working as scorer.

So the question is then, which is more distracting: a phone/mp3 player or a friend?

Simply fascinating. How do you carry your TASER to ensure proper coach, player, official and AD compliance? Cross draw? Strong side? Weak side? Concealed?

The TASER is being installed in my iPod LMAO :eek::D

Both; I'd be inclined to ban them, too, although I hadn't thought of it so much. And to quote the President in response to your statement that we can't ban them; "Yes we can."

If you get an official who does so, you can always appeal to him by saying you're using it as a timing device for timeouts, but be prepared to use your watch.

It's not just the phone that can be distracting, and I don't know the scorer from Adam, so how am I supposed to know whether he plays games or surfs the internet in his spare time? I don't, so I'd be less likely to be flexible on this.

Even in a lower level game, there's bound to be someone in the gym with a wrist watch. If not, I've worked my share of games where the timer didn't have a stop watch and would prefer that to a distracted timer.

If you do that, you might want to think about investing $5 in a cheap stopwatch; especially if you do a signicant number of these games. I have a feeling I'll be breaking back in with some middle school games, so I think I'll be doing just that this winter.
If you don't, be prepared for the only timing device to be someone's smart phone. Not that it's likely, but it's possible. I'd probably allow it in that case, with the caveat that if the timer uses it for anything else during the game, he'll be replaced and we'll go without a timing device.

LMAO, I thought this forum, as a whole, was not to be turned political??

All that would have to be done is show the stopwatch function on the iPod before the game.

In the situation here where we have the shot clock for both men & women as well as the game clock, there might be no other choice but to use the stopwatch function on the iPod/iPhone, if due to technical difficulties the scoreboard is non-operational.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am thinking of using the iPod as a TO Timer for 1-2 games as a test. However I won't make that decision until game time.

Going OT: Apparently the Harlem Globetrotters are doing a penalty box & 4-pt. shot for the 2011 World Tour.

LMAO, I thought this forum, as a whole, was not to be turned political??

All that would have to be done is show the stopwatch function on the iPod before the game.

In the situation here where we have the shot clock for both men & women as well as the game clock, there might be no other choice but to use the stopwatch function on the iPod/iPhone, if due to technical difficulties the scoreboard is non-operational.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am thinking of using the iPod as a TO Timer for 1-2 games as a test. However I won't make that decision until game time.

Going OT: Apparently the Harlem Globetrotters are doing a penalty box & 4-pt. shot for the 2011 World Tour. BTW what should the foul be if you de-pants an opponent?